The whole basketball world knows Magic Johnson. If the legendary Laker speaks, you listen. And when he gives his take on the GOAT debate, things will certainly get interesting. Recently, the hypnotic basketball player spoke about why no one except Kobe Bryant can ever come close to Michael Jordan.

Magic, who had his own share of the limelight in the 80s, stays loyal to the team that made him a star. The former Laker joined ESPN’s First Take and revealed why Kobe Bryant is the closest comparison to Michael Jordan. 

LeBron James has been making the headlines for a few years as the best ever, in the debate against MJ. For Magic, only Kobe comes anywhere near, and he had his set of statements to argue his point. 

“Kobe is the closest thing to Michael Jordan,” says Magic

The five-time NBA champion had no regard for any other player when comparing Kobe with MJ. Being one of the best to play in the NBA, Magic knew what Kobe achieved to get close to ‘His Airness.’

“Let’s go to on the court first. Kobe admired, respected Michael Jordan in a special way that he patterned his game after Michael.” While we witnessed how Kobe emulated Jordan in his career, Magic explained how he got so close to replicating his success. 

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“Kobe is the closest thing to Michael that we’ve seen. Why? Because he can score that basketball just like Michael Jordan. He had the same mindset and attitude just like Michael Jordan, he took no prisoners, he wanted to just put his foot on your neck and wanted to destroy you, mentally and physically, just like Michael Jordan and he wanted to have six championships, like Michael Jordan.”

Every line mentioned above is absolutely true in every way. Magic saw what Kobe can do with the ball, and it was scary. He grew up watching Jordan, wanting to compete like Jordan, and that is what gave him the drive to get past any obstacle in life. 

Though he never achieved the six titles like his idol did, Kobe earned the love and respect of millions of fans around the world. His popularity rose just like Jordan. The world knows him, and reveres his sport.  Kobe can rest now, knowing that he gave every inch of himself towards bettering his game. 

Magic mentions the off-court similarities between Kobe and MJ

Post his retirement in 2016, Kobe didn’t lay back and rest. He was always buzzing. He found different things to do with his newfound time. Of course, his main priority was family time, but Kobe was all about bringing something new to the world. 

“Off the court, he wanted to build his business just like Michael Jordan, and you know what? He was getting there, too,” Johnson began. “Kobe was doing an outstanding job as a businessman, and he was taking the run that Jordan took off the court. He was building his own brand at the same time and I believe that’s why Kobe and Michael really enjoyed each other because they went to places very few athletes go.” 

Kobe wanted to be like Jordan in every way possible. He looked at him like a big brother, and likewise, Jordan admired his little brother. The pair shared such a heart-warming relationship, which made the spirits of their fans jump with joy. No matter how much Kobe wanted to be like MJ, he knew the latter paved the way to his success. The Mamba always graciously went ahead with accepting how MJ helped him improve and get better.

To develop young talents and help them carry the torch forward in the NBA, Kobe co-founded the Mamba Sports Academy. It hosts one of the best training and recovery facilities in the country. His business mind never lets him rest, something he learned from his big brother. 

To conclude, in agreement with the great Magic Johnson, only Kobe could ever come close to achieving the legendary status of Michael Jordan. It is not about the titles or the MVP awards. It is about the impact he brought into the game, making it reach millions outside the USA.